Jack Duke put the disappointment of last year’s losing grand final and a quiet display in that game behind him to lead Beaufort to premiership glory.
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The dangerous small forward had a day to remember, booting five goals to win the best on ground medal.
Duke was given silver service and capitalised on his side’s dominance up the ground to kick his equal third biggest bag of the campaign.
In a top season, the lethal left-footer was also a joint winner of the Central Highlands Football League goal-kicking award.
The victory on Saturday gave Duke his first senior flag, which follows losing grand finals with the Stawell Warriors and the Crows last year.
Duke admitted he thought a premiership might forever elude him.
“After last year, it probably crossed my mind a bit,” Duke said.
“But everyone committed again for one more year and we all locked away for this year and with a real purpose to come away with the flag.
“And we got it so it’s a good feeling.”
Duke was lured to Beaufort from Victorian Amateur Football Association club Old Camberwell Grammarians ahead of the 2015 season.